I frown at Mathew. “I’m starting to think you like stalking me because you have nothing better to do. Jack still freezing you out?”
Mathew stops in front of the desk. “Our father will eventually see reason, especially with how costly the war is turning out to be.”
Mathew isn’t wrong, no matter how much I want him to be.
I’m suddenly ashamed to realize that I wouldn’t mind being replaced with Mathew as long as London’s safety—and mine—was guaranteed.
But I’m not gullible enough to believe anyone will just let me ride off into the sunset with the woman of my dreams.
As long as you’re alive, you’re a threat to Mathew, because he knows that even with Jack’s approval, some of the factions won’t accept him. You’ve spent years cultivating relationshipsand making sure you’re on good footing with everyone, and Mathew will ruin all of that.
My twin doesn’t have the finesse or patience to ensure long-standing relationships.
I’ve seen it firsthand.
Leaving with London and starting over is a pipe dream I’ll never see come to fruition, and the sooner I can let go of the thought, the better it’ll be for everyone involved.
But damn if I don’t sometimes wonder how much easier and better life would be.
What would you do, anyway? This is the only life you’ve ever known.
“I think you like to hear yourself talk,” I tell Mathew. “You’re wasting your breath. I’m not interested.”
Mathew’s smile widens. “What makes you think I care? I’m enjoying watching you piss off the people around you. Sooner or later, even your whores will get tired. First Katia, and then London. It’s only a matter of time.”
I round the desk and grab Mathew by the scruff of his neck. “Stay the hell away from London.”
There’s a gleam in Mathew’s eyes. “She’s that good, huh? You’ve been holding out on me, brother. I can’t wait to have a taste of her.”
I slam Mathew against the nearest wall and punch him in the gut. “If you touch one hair on her head, I’ll end you.”
Mathew looks at me. “I’d like to see you try.”
I swing again, but Mathew sidesteps inches from contact. He writhes out of my grasp, and I spin in time to avoid a kick to the leg. I turn to face my brother again with a dull roar in my ears. My heart feels like it’s going to jump out of my chest.
I’ve been waiting for this, craving a chance to do something, and Mathew has given me the perfect excuse.
We circle each other for a while, and I pause, feeling the rage growing within me. Mathew growls and launches himself at my middle, and I hit the wall behind me, sending a sharp jab of pain up my back. I shove him off before he can land another hit, and I kick his legs out from under him. Before I can pin him beneath me, he jumps to his feet and spits out a mouthful of blood.
“How does it feel to know that I’ll always be in the shadows, waiting to swoop in when you fail?”
“I will not fail,” I reply, fury coating every word. “And you will not swoop in.”
I’ve taken painstaking precautions to make sure of it.
Even if I fall, Mathew won’t get within five feet of London.
Mathew throws his head back and laughs. “You’re too blinded to see the truth. That’s where you and I are different. London and Katia will soon learn their place in all this.”
I see red when I throw myself at Mathew and slam him against the desk.
He bucks and tries to get me in a headlock, but I move too fast for him to get the upper hand. Mathew groans again when I punch him in the jaw. He kicks his leg out, and I lose my footing. I catch myself before I can fall, but I’m not quick enough to intercept the jab he throws at my side.
Right where I got stabbed in an attempt on my life.
I feel the stitches rip open, and pain blooms behind my eyelids and spreads across my body.
My eyes widen when I see a flash of silver. Sweat breaks out on the back of my neck as I jump out of reach, and Mathew slices my shirt open. I let out a guttural roar and throw my leg out, kicking the knife out of Mathew’s hand. It falls to the floor with a clatter, and we launch ourselves at it.
